Fire extinguisher



Aug. 14, 1934. P. EVANS ET Al.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 15, 195o 5 sheets-sheet 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 14, 1934. P. EVANS Er AL FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April l5, v1930 Aug. 14, 1934. p, EVANS r AL 1,969,880

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 14, 1934. P. EVANS Er AL f FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 15, [930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 v` v W lll FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April l5, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 -Patented Aug. 14, 1934` UNITED sTATEsj PATENT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHER vania.

Application April 15, 1.930, @mma-144,514

22 Claims.

This invention relates to re extinguishers, and more particularly to that typeof fire extinguisher employing a frangible, or partially frangible, receptacle containing a re extinguishing luid, as for example, carbon tetrachloride.

An important object of the invention is the production of a holder for receptacles of this character embodying a temperature-released means for shattering the receptacle to release the extinguishing fluid.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the production of a holder of this character so constructed that the receptacle may be readily removed for use at a remote point.

A still further object of the invention is the provision in a construction of this character of means for providing an audible signal at the time of breakage of the receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a construction of this character an arrangement such that the receptacle can be broken at a plurality of points by the engagement therewith of a projector at a single point.

A still further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a receptacle for fire extinguishing liquids together with a holder having means for breaking the bottom of the receptacle to permit the contents to escape, in which means are also provided for puncturing the top of the receptaclev to provide an air vent, thus insuring the rapid discharge of the contents.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a means for assisting in preventing breakage of the side walls of the receptacle or a separation of such side walls in event the same are splintered when the bottom of the receptacle is broken.

These and other objects we attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention and wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a lire extinguisher constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation Vof thegre extinguisher illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof partially broken away to illustrate the holding means for the projectile;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of a concealed ceiling-type fixture for use with the same extinguishing apparatus:

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an extinguisher mounting illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a modied form of the extinguisher; and

Fig. 7 is a further modification thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, th`e extinguishing apparatus generally includes a holder 10 and a receptacle 11. The receptacle comprises a ask 12 which may be unitarily sealed as indicated at 12a in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, or mechanically sealed as indicated in Figs. 6 and '7. In each instance, one Wall 13 of the receptacle is made readily frangible and about this wall a conical face 14 is provided. The wall 13 is preferably equipped centrally with a detonator 15 in the form of an explosive cap applied to the exterior of the wall. In each of the forms shown the frangible Wall of the receptacle is the lower Wall thereof and in Figs. 6 and '7 the receptacle is illustrated as provided with two-frangible walls 13a. located at the upper and lower ends thereof. While the receptacle has been referred to as having frangible Walls 13 or 13a, it will of course be understood that the side walls of the receptacle may `likewise be frangible, in which event, however, the walls 13 or 13a as the case may be, are the more delicately constructed. The side wall when frangible is surrounded'by a band of flexible material 17 adhesively attached thereto, this band preferably taking the form of a label bearing identifying characteristics of the extinguisher, such as the trade-mark and manufacturers name and -directions for use of Vthe extinguisher- This band, in addition to supplying a convenient place for application of the information above listed, acts to hold the side walls in assembled relation in event they are splintered during shattering of the wall 13 or Wall 13a.

Where the walls 13a are provided at opposite ends of the receptacle, the receptacle is preferably formed with reduced portions 18 forming necks at the ends of which these Walls are located, and extending between the walls is a rod 19 having guides in the form of projecting arms 20 which engage against the inner faces of the neck walls to hold the rod in position. The walls 13a are held in position upon the necks by means of screw caps 21 or the like.

The holder 10 includes a cup 22 the upper end of the side wall of which is flared to provide a seat for the conical wall'14 as indicated at 23. The bottom of the cup has a central opening 24 and the side walls thereof an annular series of apertures 25. The bottom surface of the cup about the central-opening 24 has an annular groove 24a. Arranged beneath the opening is a spider comprising a central circular disk 26 the form shown in Fig. 6.

having upstanding arms 2'7 the upper ends of which are attached to the bottom of cup 22 in the groove 24a. The periphery of this disk has a series of tabs 28 which are bent downwardly and about a ared flange 29 upon the upper edge of the side wall of a cup 30 to hold the cup in assembled relation against the bottom of the disk.

The bottom wall 31 of this cup has a central v aperture 32 guiding the threaded stem 33 of a projectile 34, which stem extends kupwardly through a central aperture 35 formed in the spider to be guided thereby. The stem, immediately above its lower end, has an annular groove 36 and seated upon the bottom of the cup 30 are a series of segmental retaining elements 3'7 the outer ends of which seat against the cup wall and the inner ends of which project into the groove 36. The space within the cup above these retaining elements and about the stem is lled with material 38 which will fuse at a predetermined tempcrature. Impelling means for the projectile 34 is provided comprising a conical coil spring 39 the upper smaller end of which engages the projectile and the lower or larger' end of which seats upon the bottom wall of the cup 22. This spring is preferably anchored at its opposite ends to the cup and to the projectile so that the projectilewill not become displaced if it is accidentally disengaged during installation or handling of the apparatus.

In the drawings we have illustrated the holder as including two different types of supports for the cup 22. In Figs. l, 2, 6 and '7 the cup support comprises a rigid ar'm 40 secured as by spot welding at 40h at its lower end to the cup and having its upper end offset inwardly to extend over the top of the receptacle and Vprovided with an opening 41 for engagement with a hook or other type of support from which the device can be swung. The intermediate portion of the arm 40 has openings 42 through which securing elements may be directed to secure the same against a wall or other surface. This intermediate portion has further secured thereto a U-shaped clip spring 43 to embrace-the receptacle and hold it in proper position with respect to the cup.

In Figs. 4 and 5 we have illustrated a holder suitable for use in ceiling mountings for the fire extinguisher. This holder comprises an annular rim 44 adapted to be secured to the ceiling preferably through the medium of false ceiling pieces 4 5 extending between adjacent joists of the ceiling structure. The rim 44 is made of such depth v that its lower surface will be flush with the applied lath and plaster ceiling 46 and is apertured at its lower end for the reception of securing elements 4'7 by means of which a ring plate 48 is attached thereto. This ring plate serves at its inner end to support the cup, the cup having a projecting horizontal ange 49 at the upper end of the seat. It also serves to support two or more arms 50 extending upwardly along the sides of the receptacle 11 and preferably connected at their upper ends by a binding wire 51, these arms serving to maintain the receptacle in proper relation to the cup.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 the same receptacle structure is employed as in However, instead of providing internal means in the receptacle for transmitting strains, a second cup structure 52 is employed at the upper end of the bracket 40a,

this cup being detachably secured to the bracket as at 53 including a fusible unit 54 and projectile 55 as in the case of the cup already described. The entire unit is then placed in a bracket 56 having spring arms 57 for detachably maintaining it in position. In an apparatus of this character and in all forms of the invention with the exception of that shown in Fig. '7, the receptacle is readily removable in event its use is desired at a remote point and, accordingly, the usefulness of the apparatus isnot limited to any -particular locality. Upon fusing of the fusible element, not only are the contents of the receptacle permitted to escape but a signal is given which will serve to arouse occupants of the build.-

ing in which the extinguisher is being employed. This renders the extinguisher particularly adaptable for use in private dwellings, institutions or associated structures.

Since the structure as hereinbefore described is obviously capable of a' considerable range of change and modification without in any manner departing from the spirit of our invention, We do not wish to be understood as limiting 'ourselves to the specic arrangement. illustrated except as hereinafter claimed. 1

We claim:

1. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle for me extinguishing uid having spaced walls of readily frangible material, a fusible-means-withheld projectile to engage one of said walls and break the same, and means for transmitting the blow of said projectile from the wall broken by said projectile to the other of said walls. v

2. In a fire extinguisher, a holder affording a seat, a spring-pressed fusible-means-withheld projectile carriedthereby, a receptacle for re extinguishing fluid having a frangible wall and a portion surrounding said frangible Wall to loosely engage said seat and means spaced from the seat for detachably and yieldably maintaining said receptacle in position upon said seat.

3. In a fire extinguisher and in combination, a. receptacle for a re extinguishing medium including a frangible wall breakage of which permits the medium to escape, means for breaking said wall, means for causing relative movement of the receptacle and the first-named means to bring the rst-named means into contact with said frangible wall and a detonator carried by said frangible wall and arranged to be struck by the firstnamed means, said receptacle having a second frangible wall remotely disposed as regards the first-named wall4 and means for transmitting breaking strains from the first-named to the second-named frangible wall.

I4. In a re extinguisher, a receptacle for re extinguishing fluid having spaced walls of readily frangible material, a fusible-means-withheld projectile to engage one of said walls and break the same, means for transmitting the blow of said projectile from the wall broken by said projectile to the other of said walls and a detonator arranged tolbe Aoperated by the projectile when released.

5. In a re extinguisher, a vreceptacle for fire` same, and a rod extending between said walls within the receptacle for transmitting the blow of said projectile from the wall broken by said projectile to the other of said walls.

7. In a iire extinguisher, a receptacle for re extinguishing fluid having a frangible wall, a spring-pressed fusible-means-withheld projectile to engage said Wall and break the same, a detonator carried by said frangible wall and arranged to be struck by said projectile, and means operated by said projectile in breaking said wall for forming a vent in the receptacle at a remote point.

8. In a flre extinguisher, a receptacle for a flre extinguishing medium having a frangible wall, a member to break said wall, means for causing relative movement of the receptacle and member to bring said member into engagement with the lWall, and means operated by said member in breaking the Wall for forming a vent in the receptacle at a remote point.

9. In a fire extinguisher, a holder, a springpressed fusible-means-withheld projectile carried by the holder and when released moving in one direction therefrom, the holder having a seat, a receptacle for the iire extinguishing medium adapted to engage said seat, means associated with the holder for detachably maintaining the receptacle in engagement with the seat for undelayed removal therefrom, a frangible wall for the receptacle disposed in the path of the projectile when the receptacle is engaged in the seat, and means operated by the projectile in breaking said frangible wall for opening a vent in the receptacle at a remote point.

10. In a flre extinguisher of the breakableextinguisher medium receptacle type having shatterable body walls including at least one readily frangible wall, means connected to the body walls of the receptacle for maintaining the same in connected relation in event of shattering thereof upon breakage of said frangible wall.

11. A re extinguishing medium container comprising a vessel having a frangible side wall and a more readily frangible bottom and means connected to the side wall for maintaining the portions thereof in connected relation in event of breakage thereof during shattering of said bottom Wall.

12. A flre extinguishing medium container comprising a receptacle having frangible side walls and a more readily frangible body, and a label adherently secured to said side walls and constructed and arranged to maintain the same in connected relation in event of breakage thereof when said bottom Wall is shattered. x

13. A fire extinguisher comprising a frangible sealed container having fire extinguishing contents and having variations in form providing shoulders at points spaced longitudinally thereof, a frame having rigid portions to engage said shoulders, means engaging the container intermediate the ends thereof to yieldably maintain the container in engagement with said portions, permitting undelayed removal of the container from the frame, and means associated with the frame and released at a predetermined tempera ture for breaking the container. e

14. The combination with a flre extinguisher of the character described, comprising a frangible sealed container having lire extinguishing contents, of a frame having portions rigid with relation thereto engaging the container at spaced points of reduced diameter thereof, means associated with the container and frame and released at a. predetermined temperature for breaking the container and a spring clip carried by the frame and embracing the container through the major portion of its circumference at a point intermediate said points of engagement.

15. In a flre extinguisher, a frangible container containing a fire extinguishing medium, means for breaking the same released at a predetermined temperature, a rigid support forthe lower end of the container, a rigid frame associated with the support and engaging the upper end of the container at a point of reduced diameter thereof, and a spring clip carried by the frame intermediate the ends of the container, said container being removable from the support and frame against the action of said spring clip.

16. In a flre extinguisher, a bracket embodying a seat and a. pair of spring clamping arms disposed above the seat, a sealed frangible-Walled extinguishing fluid container disposed upon the seat and maintained in position thereon by said spring clamping arms, a projectile carried by the seat and adapted to engage and break the lWall ofthe container and a fusible link restraining said projectile.

17. In a re extinguisher, a bracket embodying a seat and a pair of spring clamping arms disposed above the seat, a sealed frangible-walled extinguishing uid container disposed upon the seat and maintained in position thereon by said spring clamping arms, a projectile carried by the seat and adapted to engage and break the Wall of the container, a fusible link restraining said projectile, and a detonator exploded by the projectile in breaking the wall of the container.

18. Ina re extinguisher, a bracket embodying a seat and a pair of spring clamping arms disposed above the seat, a sealed frangible-walled extinguishing fluid container disposed upon the seat and maintained in position thereon by said spring clamping arms, a projectile carried by the seat and adapted to engage and break the wall of the container and a fusible link restraining said projectile, said container being removable from said bracket without disturbing said projectile by a direct pull against the action of said clamping arms.

19. In a flre extinguisher, a bracket embodying a seat and a pair of spring clamping arms disposed above the seat, a sealed frangible-walled extinguishing fluid container disposed upon the seat and maintained in position thereon by said spring clamping arms, a projectile carried by the seat and adapted to engage and break the wall of the container, a fusible link restraining said projectile, and a detonator exploded by the projectile in breaking the wall of the container,

said container being removable from said bracket Without disturbing said projectile by a direct pull against the action of said clamping arms.

20. In a flre extinguisher, a support embodying a cup having the upper end of its side wall outwardly flared, a sealed frangible-walled extinguishing uid container having the peripheral portions of its bottom Wall engaged with the iiared Wall portions of the cup, yieldable spring means for maintaining the container in position upon the cup, a spring-pressed projectile within the cup adapted to move under the influence of the spring thereof to engage the bottom wallof the container, a stem for s aid projectile having a portion reduced in size, and fusible means operatively engaging said reduced portion to retain the projectile against the action of .said spring.

21. In a vfire extinguisher, a unitary holder affording a. rigid seat, a receptacle for re extinguishing fluid having a frangible wall and a portion surrounding said frangible wall to loosely engage said seat, a spring-pressed fusible-meanswithheld member located below the seat and constructed and arranged to break said frangible wall when released, and means spaced from the seat for yieldably maintaining said receptacle in position upon said seat, said means constituting the sole means for preventing disengagement of the receptacle from its seat and being so constructed and arranged as to expose the receptacle for gripping and removal. 

